Leaf Pick-up in Fairport, NY - 14 Nov 2011

Pretty Spiffy if you ask me.

The making of the movie "Over Miles"

 Elder Decker, donkey #1, Tami Hutchings, donkey #2, Elder Davis at the Hutchings home for dinner.

 Elder Davis mode of transportation after going over miles :)

Who says a dog is man's best friend?  (Elder Decker with donkey #1)

Oct. & Nov. 2011 Missionaries

 Sisters Stoke & Carter performed a clogging routine for us at the Senior Couples Halloween Party in the basement of the HC Visitor Center.  The gray hair was to represent the Senior Sisters & Elders (tie on Sister Stoker).  

 Elder Ashton Cook, Assistant to the President for over a year, showing his second pair of worn out shoes.

Sister Destiny Tirrell & McKenna, twin outfits.

Lisa & Connor Morris' Visit 26 Oct. - 2 Nov. 2011

Connor & Lisa Morris, Sister Valli McVea at Brigham Young's Baptismal Site.

 

Connor & Lisa Morris in front of the Welcome Sign for Mount "Morris", New York.

 Fall colors in Letchworth State Park, Mt. Morris, New York.

 

Elder & Sister McVea, Connor & Lisa Morris in Letchworth State Park.

 A favorite spot in Letchworth State Park!

 Sister A. Crook was assigned Hill Cumorah Visitor Center the day we visited with the Morris'.  Connor and Sister Alexandra Crook were in dance class together at Timpview High School.

 Elder & Sister McVea with Lisa & Connor Morris in front of the Christus in the HC Visitor Center.

 Joseph Smith Farm House, Palmyra, New York

Lisa & Connor Morris, Elder & Sister McVea at the entrance of the Sacred Grove.

Halloween Decorations in Palmyra, NY 2011

They really go all out in Western New York for the Holidays!

 

Miracle Rendezvous at Hill Cumorah 23 Oct 2011

Elder McVea standing by the "Moroni Tree" named by President Christianson.  Coleman thought this was the tree but I did not.  So, I silently prayed that Pres. Christianson would just happen to come to the Hill to settle the problem.  I knew he had out of town friends visiting so the probability of him showing up at the Hill was almost nil. 

While there Coleman took pictures of some of the taller trees.  Notice the branches do not grow on the bottom part of the trunk.  They only grow on the top of the tree where they can access sunlight.

We had spent about 40 minutes on the Hill and as we came to the top we saw Elder & Sister Servoss hunting for acorns.  They did not see us when this picture was taken.  Sister Servoss cleaned the acorns up and painted them with a clear varnish.  She gave me some for souvenirs.

This is where the miracle comes in.  While we were talking with Elder & Sister Servoss, guess who arrived at the top of the HILL?  President and Sister Christianson with their guests, the Martin family from Provo, UT.  Br. Martin had just been sustained as a member of our Stake Presidency in the Edgemont North Stake back home.  Small world.

 

Sister & Elder McVea with President Jack R. Christianson and Sister Melanie Christianson.

President gave ALL of us a tour of the Hill showing us not only the "Moroni Tree" but an area on the HILL where you can look up in a small clearing and see this, "The Cathedral" called by President.  By the way, Elder McVea had picked out the correct Moroni Tree which was confirmed by President.

Mission Presidents' Comference 18 Oct 2011

We put together 31 baskets for the mission presidents who came to Rochester for training.

Sister McVea made a loaf of her famous coconut bread for each basket and many asked for the recipe.